Weather advisory issued for mountains, snow expected

RIVERSIDE – A cold Pacific storm system will bring quick bursts of heavy snow to the mountains of Riverside County this afternoon and a chance of mostly light to moderate rain to the rest of the county, meteorologists said.

The National Weather Service scheduled a winter weather advisory for mountain areas above 4,500 feet until 5 p.m., saying three to seven inches of snow accumulation was possible in those parts. The agency issues a winter weather advisory whenever snow is expected to affect road travel.

”Travel will be hazardous in the mountains due to snow covered roadways and poor visibility … Chains may be required in some areas,” the NWS said.

There is also a slight chance of showers in the Coachella Valley and the Riverside metropolitan area today, though the NWS said the showers, if any, would be mostly light to moderate.